Low Country Liar Read Online Free Page B

Miss—?"
    "Mrs. Eldridge." The false name came so quickly to her tongue that Lisa was slightly astounded. Quickly she used her little finger to turn the birthstone ring on her left finger around so a plain gold band showed. "Mrs. Ann Eldridge," she carried her lie further, using her middle name in place of her first.
    "The word is repeated several times in the letter, Mrs. Eldridge. You'll have to retype it," he declared with cutting indifference,
    "Of course," Lisa agreed with a nod of deference, but she was actually gritting her teeth. He seemed to be waiting for an explanation for her error, and Lisa grudgingly gave him one, masking it in sweet politeness. "Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the 'to wits and 'whereas' and the other legal terminology, Mr. Blackwell."
    "I specifically requested a legal secretary," he stated.
    "The agency didn't have anyone available with legal experience. I'm sorry."
    She didn't dare look at him as she made the false apology. Lisa knew the glint in her eye was anything but apologetic. She could feel his sharp gaze studying her and tried to ignore the uncomfortable sensation it aroused.
    "Do you always wear a hat when you work, Mrs. Eldridge?"
    Her hand lifted to her head in surprise, her fingers touching the green turban covering her silver blond hair. She hadn't completely forgotten about it, and a germ ofan idea immediately took hold.
    "Only when my hair is a mess, Mr. Blackwell." This time she met his arrogantly appraising look, smiling faintly with a touch of challenge.
    One corner of his mouth quirked as if he found some cynical form of amusement in her answer, but he made no further comment about the hat.
    "I have a luncheon appointment. I'll be back around one o'clock," he told her, and walked to the double doors leading to the reception area.
    Waiting, Lisa listened for the opening and closing of the outside door before she darted from the desk to the metal filing cabinets. Alone at last, she had her first chance to investigate the files. She tried not to think about how unethical her search was, if not downright dishonest.
    Filing systems were beyond her experience, but luckily the drawers seemed to be labeled. Quickly Lisa began looking for the one that might indicate that it contained her aunt's records. The door to the reception area opened and Lisa stared visibly again.
    "Hello." A man walked in, shorter than Slade Blackwell but in his age group of the late thirties. He wore glasses and his brown hair was combed forward across his forehead; Lisa suspected it was to conceal a receding hairline. "You must be Mary Lou's replacement."
    "Yes, I am." Lisa heard the nervous tremor in her voice and tried to return the man's broad smile naturally. She glanced toward the connecting door to Slade Blackwell's office. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Blackwell has just left for lunch."
    "Yes, I know. I saw him in the reception area before he left," was the answer, but the man made no move to leave.
    Her fingers were resting on the handle of one drawer. The metal felt almost hot to the touch. It was so obvious that she was looking for something that she couldn't move away from the cabinets. She silently cursed the inner sensation of guilt that made her so uncomfortable.
    "Was there something I could help you with?" she asked politely, wishing he would go.
    The man was staring at her, his expression making it plain that he liked what he saw. Her prodding question seemed to awaken him from his silent study.
    "Yes," he walked quickly towards her. "I came to get the Talmadge file."
    "The what?" Lisa breathed weakly.
    "Talmadge, Miriam L.," he repeated, not apparently noticing the way the color drained from her face.
    She turned away from him, mentally grasping for straws. "I'm sorry, but these are Mr. Blackwell's files. I couldn't possibly—"
    "Good heavens!" he interrupted with a laugh. "I didn't introduce myself, did I? I'm Slade's assistant, consultant or whatever label you want to pin on me." He